The best Hulu original series right now
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When it comes to the best streaming services, Hulu makes the cut. The service has tons of shows, including originals, originals offered in partnership with others like FX and Disney+, and library titles. The originals have been an anchor for the streaming service, earning tons of accolades and awards. From We Were the Lucky Ones to Shōgun, the hits keep coming. And popular shows like The Bear and UnPrisoned continue their runs with exciting new seasons.
If you’re looking for the cream of the crop on Hulu when it comes to original series, we have you covered. Here, we outline the best Hulu original series right now. Add one or a few to your watch list and enjoy. There’s something for everyone and for every mood, from adult animated shows to intense dramas and psychological thrillers, comedies, and more.
You can also save with the Disney Bundle, which makes Hulu an even better deal by including not only Hulu, but also Disney+ and ESPN+, for just $14 a month.
Looking for more originals? Check out our lists of the best Amazon original series and the best Netflix original series, as well as the best shows on Hulu.
The Bear (2022) [New]
Metacritic: 86%
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Drama
Cast: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri
Created by: Christopher Storer
The Bear really took everyone by surprise, and its second season full of guest stars was even better received than the first. While the third takes on an artsier, more character-driven tone, it sets the story up for what is sure to be an explosive fourth season.
Jeremy Allen White (The Iron Claw) stars as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, an award-winning chef who returns to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop following the death of his older brother, Michael (Jon Bernthal). Carmy wants to save the business and modernize the restaurant, but he faces stiff resistance from Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) and other members of his staff. The bonds of friendship and family that form in the kitchen are truly compelling and have fans rooting for all of the characters as each goes on their own journey. As the series progresses and Carmy begins to realize his dreams, he also finds that the road is paved with new and resurfacing hardships along the way. To become the person he wants to be, Carmy needs to face his demons, and that’s easier said than done.
UnPrisoned (2023) [New]
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Kerry Washington, Delroy Lindo, Marque Richardson
Created by: Tracy McMillan
Paige’s (Kerry Washington) life is going fairly well as a single mother and marriage therapist. But when her estranged father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo), is released from prison after 17 years and comes to live with her and her son, Paige’s entire life becomes upended.
A heartwarming comedy, Unprisoned has been positively received by critics and viewers alike for being heartfelt and tackling tough subject matter with a healthy dose of comedy. Both Washington and Lindo are praised for their genuine and wonderful performances, and the show itself for providing an intimate look into the Black experience.
Marvel's Hit-Monkey (2021) [New]
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Animation, Action & Adventure
Cast: Fred Tatasciore
Created by: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
A hit man that’s a monkey? Yes, that’s the premise of this adult animated series based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It begins with Hit-Monkey (Fred Tatasciore), a Japanese macaque who witnesses the brutal murder of an assassin named Bryce Fowler (Jason Sudeikis), along with the killing of his former tribe of monkeys. In his dying breath, Fowler asks Hit-Monkey to find the assassins’ employer and kill him. But something strange happens: after Fowler perishes, his ghost reappears to join Hit-Monkey in the fight.
With two seasons under its belt to date, Marvel’s Hit-Monkey is a fun, beautifully animated series that takes inspiration from Japanese anime. Paste Magazine’s Kristen Reid describes the show as “visually stunning and surprisingly gory,” along with “vibrant and explosive.” The two main characters are joined by other talented voice actors, including Olivia Munn, George Takei, Leslie Jones, and Cristin Milioti, all taking you on a wild ride with a primate out for vengeance.
The Clearing (2023) [New]
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Teresa Palmer, Miranda Otto, Guy Pearce
Created by: Matt Cameron, Elise McCredie
Hailing from Australia and streaming on both Hulu and Disney+, The Clearing is inspired by the real story of a female leader of a cult called The Family. Based on the J.P. Pomare book In the Clearing, the cult (called The Kindred in the series) kidnaps young girls, then forces them to take on new identities. They must cut their hair a certain way, dress a certain way, and behave a certain way, or else. They live under the authority of a woman named Adrienne (Miranda Otto) whom they are told is their new mother. She believes these kids need to be raised to be pure and untainted, and regular society just isn’t offering them that.
Deeply disturbing, The Clearing showcases the traumatic experiences that are all too familiar of cult behavior, even ones that continue to exist today. While it isn’t an easy watch, Otto is a standout as she leads the cast of The Clearing in a harrowing, psychologically powerful story. Also worth noting is Teresa Palmer, who plays Freya, a woman who grew up in the cult herself. She is becoming increasingly disturbed by what’s happening and fearful for her son. Sarah Ward of Concrete Playground says The Clearing is chilling and gripping, and “haunts far more than just its on-screen characters.”
Under the Bridge (2024)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Crime
Cast: Lily Gladstone, Vritika Gupta, Chloe Guidry
Created by: Quinn Shephard
In 1997, 14-year-old Canadian Punjabi girl Reena Virk was viciously murdered by six teenagers who were tried and convicted for their participation in the crime. A victim of bullying, her case shed light on the growing severity of bullying in schools and made news across the country. Deemed a national tragedy, Virk’s death pointed a lens on girl violence. The story of what purportedly happened is told in this true crime drama miniseries.
Based on the Rebecca Godfrey book of the same name, Under the Bridge is tough to watch at times, but it’s a precursor to having important conversations with your kids. It’s also eye-opening regarding the depth of violence that can become the result of bullying, cultural differences, rebellion, and trauma. Receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, Peter Travers of ABC News calls the drama “harrowing” and “haunting,” and warns that “you won’t know what hit you.”
We Were the Lucky Ones (2024)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Joey King, Logan Lerman, Robin Weigert
Created by: Erica Lipez
Joey King and Logan Lerman shine in We Were the Lucky Ones, a gripping historical drama miniseries about a Polish Jewish family torn apart during the Holocaust. Separated by Hitler’s persecution, they scatter, some in concentration camps, others in hiding, and a few who manage to escape to other countries. When the war ends, however, it’s time to find the remaining living relatives (if any) for an emotional reunion.
An adaptation of Georgia Hunter’s book of the same name, which is inspired by the true story of her own family, We Were the Lucky Ones is told through eight succinct episodes. It will leave you both tearful and pumping your fists in the air at the tremendous perseverance demonstrated by characters dealing with horrific circumstances and personal hope.
Life & Beth (2022)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Amy Schumer, Yamaneika Saunders
Created by: Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer always delights on screen for fans of her style of comedy, and Life & Beth is no exception. In this comedy-drama, she plays the title character, a woman who takes a second look at the trajectory of her life following the death of her mother. Co-starring Michael Cera as John, a farmhand Beth meets during one of her wine sales trips to a rural Long Island town, Life & Beth sheds light on how a seemingly perfect life might be anything but.
A story of a woman’s journey to finding herself, told through present-day events and flashbacks to Beth’s teen years, Life & Beth is about authenticity, overcoming trauma, and finding your way. But as would be expected from Schumer, there are plenty of laughs along the way, too.
The Act (2019)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Crime
Cast: Patricia Arquette, Joey King, AnnaSophia Robb
Created by: Nick Antosca, Michelle Dean
Earning an Emmy for Patricia Arquette for Outstanding Supporting Actress and a nomination for Joey King for Outstanding Lead Actress, The Act tells the harrowing story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was allegedly abused by her mother Dee Dee, who suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy. She spent years being told she was ill, with her mother fabricating all types of illnesses and disabilities that led to treatments that weren’t needed. Events took a violent turn when Dee Dee was murdered by Gypsy’s boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn, and Gypsy herself was charged with second-degree murder for her involvement.
One of the most controversial, polarizing cases of 2015, The Act retells the story with a talented cast. Led by Arquette and King, both received universal praise for their believable and heart-wrenching performances.
Shōgun (2024)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, War & Politics
Cast: Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai
Created by: Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo
A joint release between Hulu and FX, takes James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name and brings it to the small screen for the first time since the 1980s. This new take is faithful to the story, following the adventures of English sailor John Blackthorne (based on English navigator William Adams and played by Cosmo Jarvis), daimyo Lord Toranaga (based on founder of the first shōgun, Tokugawa Ieyasu and played by Hiroyuki Sanada), and Toda Mariko (based on aristocrat Hosokawa Gracia and played by Anna Sawai). The two men come from very different worlds, while there’s an air of mysterious about Lady Mariko. But the unlikely trio come together in preparation of a pending civil war.
While Shōgun is fictional, the series is inspired by real-life historical moments. The first major on-screen interpretation from 1980 starred Richard Chamberlain and was hugely successful, earning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series. This latest adaptation of the story could become even bigger. Digital Trends’ Alex Welch draws comparisons to Game of Thrones and praises the performances, script, sets, and locations while calling Shōgun a “samurai epic that cuts deep.”
Fleishman Is in Trouble (2022)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Claire Danes, Lizzy Caplan
Created by: Taffy Brodesser-Akner
An FX on Hulu series, Fleishman is in Trouble centers around Toby (Jesse Eisenberg), a recently divorced man struggling with life as a single parent. His ex, Rachel (Claire Danes), disappeared without warning and now he has two children to raise on his own. Despite having a pretty good life professionally, and even personally while dating, Toby is desperate to figure out why his marriage didn’t work out. What drove his wife to abandon him and the children?
Fleishman is in Trouble features narration by Toby’s best friend, Libby (Lizzy Caplan), who provides context into what might have gone wrong. Through this, Toby realizes harsh truths about the past 15 years of his life and what he might have done to contribute to his marital breakdown. A raw, honest examination of love, marriage, and midlife crisis, Fleishman is in Trouble, based on the Taffy Brodesser-Akner novel of the same name, earned seven Emmy Award nominations, including nods for both Caplan and Danes.
A Murder at the End of the World (2023)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Mystery, Drama
Cast: Emma Corrin, Clive Owen, Harris Dickinson
Created by: Brit Marling, Zal Batmanglij
The murder mystery genre is enjoying a resurgence of late, and A Murder at the End of the World is an exciting entry to the mix. Technically created for FX, but streaming exclusively on Hulu, the series is co-created by The OA creator and co-star Brit Marling. The psychological thriller stars The Crown’s Emma Corrin as Darby, one of many individuals invited to a reclusive billionaire’s remote home. It’s a retreat, but when one of the guests winds up dead, Darby must use her amateur sleuthing skills to find out who the killer is — and make sure she isn’t next.
Like other entries in the genre, A Murder at the End of the World has an ensemble cast that also includes Clive Owen, Alice Braga, Jermaine Fowler, and Marling herself. If you’re a fan of The OA and its offbeat style, as well as murder mystery brain teasers, this is the show for you.
Shoresy (2022)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Jared Keeso, Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat
Created by: Jared Keeso
Shoresy isn’t technically a Hulu original, but the Canadian series, which is offered through the Bell-owned Crave streaming service north of the border, was acquired by Hulu for exclusive streaming rights in the U.S. A spinoff of the series Letterkenny about a group of stereotypical small-town residents in Ontario, Canada, Shoresy focuses on the title character (played by creator Jared Keeso) as he makes a big move to Sudbury, Ontario. He has big dreams for his Triple A-level ice hockey team and bets the manager of the flailing team that he can take them to the top.
A feel-good, hilarious comedy, Shoresy is a must-watch for fans of Letterkenny. The immature humor is a perfect escape, and though there’s plenty of Canadian-specific terminology and jokes, the show has struck a chord with American viewers, too.
Solar Opposites (2020)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 4
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast: Justin Roiland, Sean Giambrone, Thomas Middleditch
Created by: Justin Roiland, Mike McMahan
From the creators of Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites is a hilarious animated dive into the life of a family of aliens living in middle America and observing human behavior. It’s all about perspective, and while some think the way people tend to behave is awesome, others find it deplorable. In a separate storyline, fans also learn about the Yumyulack who has shrunken humans and stored them in a terrarium called The Wall.
You’ll recognize familiar voices like Silicon Valley’s Thomas Middleditch as Terry and The Goldbergs’ Sean Giambrone as Yumyulack. The sci-fi animated sitcom has been praised for being charming, hilarious, sincere, and offering a ridiculous yet also fresh take on humanity and our habits.
Dragons: The Nine Realms (2021)
Rated: TV-Y7
Seasons: 7
Genre: Animation, Action & Adventure
Cast: Jeremy Shada, Ashley Liao, Aimee Garcia
Created by: Henry Gilroy
With a solid seven seasons under its belt, Dragons: The Nine Realms is a joint production with Peacock. The animated series takes place 1,300 years after the events portrayed in the movie How To Train Your Dragon. With dragons merely legends from a past life, a fissure in the Earth’s surface reveals that dragons are not only real but have been hiding away all this time.
The kids who make this discovery have to keep the secret to protect the precious creatures. Produced under DreamWorks Animation, Dragons: The Nine Realms also spawned a video game of the same name.
Only Murders in the Building (2021)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Cast: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez
Created by: Steve Martin, John Robert Hoffman
Steve Martin and his longtime collaborator, Martin Short, are enjoying a late-career resurgence thanks to the success of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Martin co-created the series and headlines the show as Charles, Short as his neighbor and newfound friend Oliver. Their friendship is fueled by a mutual love of true crime stories, which is something they also have in common with their much younger neighbor, Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez). When an actual murder takes place in their high-end apartment building, this unlikely trio starts their own true crime podcast as they try to figure out who the killer is. But by stepping into the spotlight, they get deeper and deeper into the building’s increasingly dangerous intrigue. With three seasons, Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep joining the cast for the third, and a new puzzling murder each time, it’s a fun, entertaining whodunit that keeps you at the edge of your seat.
Letterkenny (2016)
IMDb: 8.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 11
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Jared Keeso, Nathan Dales, Michelle Mylett
Created by: Jared Keeso
It’s not strictly a Hulu original since the first six seasons premiered on The Movie Network in Canada. However, in 2019, Hulu acquired exclusive U.S. distribution rights and the latest seasons have been branded as Hulu Originals. Semantics aside, Letterkenny centers on the residents of Letterkenny, a tiny rural community in Ontario, Canada. The town’s inhabitants generally fall into one of several groups: hicks, hockey players, drug addicts (aka, skids), and members of the local First Nation. Letterkenny has much in common with another Canadian sitcom that was popular in the U.S., Trailer Park Boys, but it also has an ethos all to itself and has a greater tendency to get philosophical — even if it’s by accident.
Reservation Dogs (2021)
Metacritic: 83%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Crime
Cast: Devery Jacobs, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Paulina Jewel Alexis
Created by: Taika Waititi, Sterlin Harjo
Hulu’s partnership with FX has once again paid dividends with the arrival of Reservation Dogs. The FX on Hulu original series was created by Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo, and it may be one of the most unique comedies in a long time. The series follows Bear (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Elora Danan (Devery Jacobs), Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis), and Cheese (Lane Factor), a group of Native American teenagers languishing on a reservation in Oklahoma. They want out of the rez, and they’re willing to steal, save, and even rob to get enough money to move to California. However, their ambitions initially remain tantalizingly out of reach, and the dream might not be all they expected.
Tiny Beautiful Things (2023)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Sarah Pidgeon, Quentin Plair
Created by: Liz Tigelaar
Based on the book of the same name by Cheryl Strayed, which itself is based on Strayed’s own story, Tiny Beautiful Things is a comedy drama but it has been called compelling, dark, and “emotionally vivid.” The show stars Kathryn Hahn as Clare, a writer who becomes a popular advice columnist, despite her own personal life falling apart.
About to turn 50, Clare is dealing with marital issues, troubles with her teenage daughter, and fears about the future and missed opportunities. Somehow, she’s able to channel those frustrations into delivering sweet, kind, and helpful advice to readers who come to rely on her insight. Be prepared to shed a tear or two and maybe feel a bit cathartic while you watch.
The Great (2020)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Cast: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox
Created by: Tony McNamara
Everybody’s heard of Catherine the Great, the Russian Empress who presided over one of imperial Russia’s greatest periods of prosperity. But not so many know about her husband and second cousin, Peter III, who was so incompetent that she overthrew him in a practically bloodless coup d’état.
History is dramatic and tragic, but it’s also comical, and The Great finds wicked pleasure in pitting Elle Fanning’s cunning and witty Catherine against Nicholas Hoult’s dull, na?ve Peter. Catherine’s rise is, of course, inevitable, but it’s a lot of fun to watch play out in this satirical drama.
DAVE (2020)
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Dave Burd, Taylor Misiak, Andrew Santino
Created by: Jeff Schaffer, Lil Dicky
Rapper/comedian Lil Dicky became internet famous after releasing his song “Ex-Boyfriend” on YouTube back in 2013, then released his debut rap album, Professional Rapper, in 2015. He went on to collaborate with the likes of Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Wiz Khalifa. In 2020, Dicky, real name David Andrew Burd, worked with producer Jeff Schaffer to create a comedy series based on his life, and, as it turns out, the talented rapper is a talented comedian, too.
Burd stars in the series as a fictionalized version of himself, a neurotic young man living in a small suburban town who believes he can make it big in the rap game. GaTa, Burd’s real-life hype man, plays himself on the show, including depicting his real-life battle with bipolar disorder. Critic reviews for the first season applaud the “juvenile sense of humor” for those who appreciate those types of jokes. It’s a refreshing and fun show with a laundry list of A-list guest stars, not to mention Kevin Hart counted among its executive producers.
Welcome to Chippendales (2022)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Crime, Comedy
Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Murray Bartlett, Annaleigh Ashford
Who knew that the origins of the Chippendales male stripper franchise was a tale that includes intrigue, jealously, and murder for hire? Welcome To Chippendales stars Kumail Nanjiani as Somen “Steve” Banerjee, an Indian immigrant whose American dream took on a shape that no one could have predicted, including Banerjee himself. Realizing that the female audience is underserved, Banerjee creates Chippendales and eventually teams with Nick De Noia (Murray Bartlett) to give the show a theatrical flair. But as Banerjee’s control of his franchise is threatened, it turns out that he’ll do almost anything to protect it. Even murder.
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sam Worthington
Created by: Dustin Lance Black
2021 was Andrew Garfield’s year, and 2022 is also shaping up nicely for the actor as he headlines Under the Banner of Heaven. Garfield stars as Detective Jeb Pyre, a devout Mormon whose faith is shaken by the murder of Brenda Lafferty (Twisters star Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her infant daughter. Although suspicion initially falls on Brenda’s husband, Allen Lafferty (Billy Howle), the focus soon shifts to the rest of the Lafferty family, which is very connected in the Mormon community. The deeper that Jeb probes the case, the more he is horrified by the crimes and the extreme religious views that fueled the murderous actions.
The Girl From Plainville (2022)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Crime
Cast: Elle Fanning, Chlo? Sevigny, Colton Ryan
Created by: Patrick Macmanus, Liz Hannah
This limited series is based on the true story of Michelle Carter’s unprecedented “texting-suicide” case. Carter made news after her boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, killed himself and allegations came to light that Carter pushed him to do it. After examining texts between Carter and Roy, a jury ultimately convicted Carter of involuntary manslaughter. The Girl From Plainville examines the events that led to Roy’s death and the complicated, dark relationship he had with Carter.
The Dropout (2022)
Metacritic: 75%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Naveen Andrews, Utkarsh Ambudkar
Elizabeth Holmes captivated the health tech world with her company Theranos, which made a blood analysis product that could revolutionize the industry. Only, the product didn’t work, had never worked, and by all accounts, appeared to be completely fake. Yet, Holmes still raked in millions in investments while putting patients at risk. Amanda Seyfreid stars as Holmes in this limited series about Silicon Valley hubris.
Pam & Tommy (2022)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Lily James, Sebastian Stan, Seth Rogen
If you lived through the ‘90s, then you saw the love affair between Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee play out in the media. Hulu’s new miniseries, Pam & Tommy, casts Lily James and Sebastian Stan in the title roles. And it’s worth saying that they both have an uncanny physical resemblance to the real-life characters they are playing. After enjoying a whirlwind romance and marriage, Pamela and Tommy are stunned when Rand Gauthier (Seth Rogen) steals their sex tape and releases it online with the help of Uncle Miltie (Nick Offerman). Their lives and their careers were never the same again.
PEN15 (2019)
Metacritic: 87%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Mutsuko Erskine
Created by: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Sam Zvibleman
Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle created and star as their middle school selves in this hilarious adult comedy. Oh, Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle are in their 30s. They’re playing 13-year-old middle schoolers while surrounded by actual 13-year-olds. You don’t need to know the creators to relate to them. They’re outcasts in the year 2000, falling in love and experiencing the worst turmoil of their lives on the whims of a passed note.
Dopesick (2021)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 8.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg
Created by: Danny Strong
Dopesick is a dramatization of true stories about America’s addiction to OxyContin and other opioids. Beetlejuice 2‘s Michael Keaton headlines the miniseries as Dr. Samuel Finnix, with Peter Sarsgaard as Rick Mountcastle, Michael Stuhlbarg as Richard Sackler, Will Poulter as Billy Cutler, and John Hoogenakker as Randy Ramseyer. Through these characters, viewers will see how this particular drug epidemic began in the boardroom of pharmaceutical companies and expanded into every facet of American life. It’s an ongoing tragedy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t heroes in this story.
Devs (2020)
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Mystery
Cast: Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, Alison Pill
Created by: Alex Garland
FX on Hulu scored a home run with Devs, a miniseries created, written, and directed by noted filmmaker Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation, The Beach). The series stars Sonoya Mizuno as Lily Chan, a software engineer for the quantum computing company Amaya. Lily’s boyfriend and fellow engineer, Sergei Pavlov (Karl Glusman), is recruited by Amaya’s enigmatic CEO, Forest (Nick Offerman), to work on the secretive Devs project. Shortly thereafter, Segei turns up dead under very suspicious circumstances. To find answers, Lily joins the Devs team as well. But she may not like what she discovers as she unravels the mystery.
Love, Victor (2020)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Michael Cimino, Rachel Hilson, Anthony Turpel
Created by: Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger
Disney+ deemed Love, Victor too mature for its platform, but it’s coming in for a second season on Hulu. As the name suggests, this is a spinoff from the LGBT romance film Love, Simon. Nick Robinson even reprises his role as Simon Spier in a supporting capacity, but this show belongs to Victor Salazar (Michael Cimino), a teenager who struggles with his homosexuality after moving to a new town. Simon offers his support long-distance while Victor tries to work up the nerve to express his attraction to Benji Campbell (George Sear), an openly gay teenager at his school.
The Looming Tower (2018)
Metacritic: 74%
IMDb: 8.0/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: War & Politics, Drama
Cast: Jeff Daniels, Tahar Rahim, Peter Sarsgaard
Created by: Dan Futterman, Lawrence Wright, Alex Gibney
September 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an event that still reverberates through this country. Hulu’s adaptation of Lawrence Wright’s The Looming Tower is a dramatized account of the real events that led up to 9/11. A Man in Full’s Jeff Daniels headlines the series as John O’Neill, the head of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Center, 1-49. Peter Sarsgaard plays Martin Schmidt, John’s counterpart at the CIA Counterterrorism Center. Because of the inter-agency rivalries, John and Martin are at each other’s throats in the years leading up to the attacks. And by the time the intelligence community predicts a terrorist event, it’s too late for the agencies to stop it.
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 6
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Joseph Fiennes
Created by: Bruce Miller
The Handmaid’s Tale is a true gem of a Hulu original. This dramatic dystopian series is based on the 1985 Margaret Atwood novel of the same name. The story is set in an alternate future where a brutal civil war has transformed the United States into a tyrannical, patriarchal culture that oppresses women. Elisabeth Moss is the star of the show, playing a woman who is forced to be a child-bearing handmaid for a military commander and his barren wife. The first three seasons have been nominated for 54 Emmy awards, winning 14 of them. The first season also earned the title of Outstanding Series.
Normal People (2020)
Metacritic: 82%
IMDb: 8.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal
Based on Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel, Normal People follows the relationship of Marianne and Connell, two Irish teens, as they grow together and apart, from their school days in a small town through their undergrad years at Trinity College. At first glance, Marianne and Connell couldn’t be more different. Connell is well-liked and popular, while Marianne is solitary, proud, and intimidating. When they meet as Connell picks his mother up from a cleaning job at Marianne’s house, the two discover they have instant chemistry. Although they’re social opposites, a connection evolves that they’re determined to hide from the rest of the world. Over time, their roles in society and in their own circles evolve and change, and they’ll need each other to find the balance.
Little Fires Everywhere (2020)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Megan Stott
Created by: Liz Tigelaar
Based on Celeste Ng’s novel of the same name, Little Fires Everywhere stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington as two mothers in the same wealthy neighborhood with polar-opposite experiences. Witherspoon plays Elena, the matriarch of the picture-perfect Richardson family, devoted more to maintaining her family’s image than actually connecting with her children. When her youngest daughter gravitates towards Mia (Washington), an artist who is new in town, Elena can’t keep from meddling. But as she digs into Mia’s life behind her back, she sets off a series of events she couldn’t foresee that will change her family forever.
Mrs. America (2020)
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba
Created by: Dahvi Waller
Cate Blanchett stars in this story about the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Blanchett portrays Phyllis Schlafly, “the sweetheart of the silent majority” that is hellbent on preserving the sanctity of separate gender roles and the cult of domesticity. The story is told through the eyes of Schlafly and second-wave feminists like Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Jill Ruckelshaus, exploring one of the toughest battlegrounds of the 1970s culture wars that forever changed the American political landscape.
Ramy (2019)
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 8.0/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Ramy Youssef, May Calamawy, Hiam Abbass
Created by: Ramy Youssef, Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch
Ramy Youssef won a Best Actor Golden Globe for his portrayal of a version of himself on this intelligent comedy about a first-generation Egyptian American on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighborhood. Caught between a Muslim community that believes life is a moral test and a millennial generation that doesn’t believe in consequences, Ramy’s perspective is nuanced, conflicted, and evolving. Although he’s looking to find some enlightenment, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still want to be a normal 20-something who dates, goes to parties, and all of that. He’s just trying to find some balance.
